Footnotes

The legendary Miura was always going to be a hard act to follow, so the extent to which its successor eclipsed the greatest of 1960s supercars came as something of a shock to all. The sensation of the 1971 Geneva Salon, the Countach was styled, like its predecessor, by Bertone's Marcello Gandini. It was nothing less than spectacular, looking like it had been conceived on another planet. As Motor magazine observed: 'few people gazing at the original Bertone Countach at Geneva in 1971 could have regarded it as anything but a "show" car. There were those fold-up doors for a start and the space-age cockpit with its abysmal rear visibility not to mention the strange engine/transmission configuration.' Happily, Lamborghini disregarded criticism of the car's supposed lack of practicality and the Countach entered production changed in detail only. As it happened, the production version would not be seen for another two years, with deliveries commencing in 1974.

The Miura's four-cam V12 was retained for the Countach, though this time installed longitudinally and equipped with side-draught Weber carburettors. To achieve optimum weight distribution, designer Paolo Stanzani placed the five-speed gearbox ahead of the engine between the seats, and the differential - driven by a shaft passing through the sump - at the rear. The result was a delightful gearchange and a better-balanced car than the Miura. When production began in 1974, the Countach sported an improved spaceframe chassis, replacing the prototype's rather untidy semi-monocoque, while the bodywork was made of aluminium. The running gear was carried over from the Miura. One of the Countach's most striking features was the doors, which opened vertically and were supported by hydraulic struts, pivoting at their most forward point.

The production Countach came with the standard 4.0-litre - instead of the prototype's 5.0-litre - engine. Even with the smaller engine producing 'only' 375bhp, the aerodynamically efficient Countach could attain 170mph (274km/h) and, naturally, came with racetrack roadholding to match. Designated 'LP400' by the factory (LP = Longitudinale Posteriore, describing the engine placement), the first Countach is commonly known as the 'periscopio', after its central periscope, faired into the roof, which provided rearward vision.

This stunning example of the revolutionary Countach in its original LP400 'periscopio' form is one of approximately 157 built between 1974 and 1977, which explains why examples are only rarely seen for sale. A rare, right-hand drive example, chassis number '1120070' was delivered new to Malta, its first owner being one Alfred John Gaul. The car was first registered in the UK in 1990 and was first owned in this country by well-known collector, the late John 'Jack' Tattershall. In the current ownership since 1993, the Countach has been driven on the road every year since its acquisition, albeit sparingly, and currently displays a believed-genuine total of only 12,500 kilometres on the odometer (approximately 7,800 miles). The reading at time of acquisition in 1993 was 10,500 kilometres. As one would expect of a car that has seen relatively little use, this Countach remains in remarkably original condition; indeed, the engine has never been apart. Repainted in the 1990s, it is finished in one of the nicest colour combinations of Blue with Ice interior, the latter original and nicely patinated.

Over the years, 'BVU 985N' has been carefully maintained by recognised specialists (Lorenzini Motorsport, Motorapide, Bob Houghton) and comes with bills totalling £33,000, some £15,000 being spent two years ago. The car also comes with its original service book, stamped initially by the Lamborghini factory, the instruction manual and a UK V5 registration document.

A ground-breaking design that set new standards for aspiring supercar manufacturers, the Lamborghini Countach is one of the most iconic sports cars of the 20th Century, and none more so than in its earliest and purest LP400 form.

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.

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Buyer's Premium Rates25% on the first £50,000 of the Hammer Price20% from £50,001 to £1,000,000 the Hammer Price12% from £1,000,001 of the Hammer Price

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Collection Notices

AutomobiliaAll purchased lots must be cleared from the sale venue by 6pm on the day of the sale. All un-collected purchased lots shall then be removed to Bonhams storage facility at:Unit 1 Sovereign Park, Coronation Road, Park Royal, London, NW10 7QP, and will be available for collection from 10am Tuesday 1 July 2014 by appointment only.

To arrange collection please contact theAutomobilia Department 020 8963 2840 or automobilia@bonhams.com to make an appointment.

All lots will be charged £10+VAT uplift and storage at £1+VAT per day per lot.All lots marked with a ◊ will be charged £25+VAT uplift and storage at £5+VAT per day per lot.All lots marked with a ◊◊ will be charged £50+VAT uplift and storage at £10+VAT per day per lot.All lots marked with a ◊◊◊ will require specific shipping and storage arrangements, as they are either extremely large or heavy objects.

Shippers or Agents wishing to collect on behalf of the purchaser must provide written instruction from the client before Bonhams will release the lot(s).

All purchases are at buyers risk from the fall of the hammer.

Motor CarsVehicles must be collected from the sale venue on the evening of the day of the sale. After this cars are moved to local store where they need to be collected by 12 noon on Monday 30 June. (Please see Guide for Buyers in the printed and online catalogues).

Buyers should satisfy themselves that they have collected all relevant log books, documents and keys relating to their Lot(s) at time of collection. Otherwise Lots shall beremoved to storage at the Buyer's expense (see below). Lots are at the Buyer's risk from the fall of the hammer. It is strongly advisable that overseas purchasers and absentee bidders make arrangements regarding collection with Bonhams in advance of Sale.

Removal and Storage of VehiclesAll Lots not removed in accordance with the above will be transported by Polygon Transport to local store:Polygon TransportUnit 2H North RoadMarchwood Industrial ParkNormandy WayMarchwood, SouthamptonHants SO40 4BL02380 871 55502380 862 111 faxpolygon@polygon-transport.com